I had the opportunity to bring these 9 students along with Nicole K to Washington DC for Close-up. We have been running a lot taking everything in around DC. Tonight we stopped at the Washington Wizards game, we even had our school recognized on the scoreboard!!!
Just a reminder that tomorrow, Wednesday, March 30, is early dismissal for both schools for professional development. All students will dismiss at 1:30 PM.
Dr. K. here with a few updates….
The big one from a building standpoint is the board is moving forward on the creation of an activity center subject to a bond referendum. Regarding buildings, this summer the bus barn will be receiving new steel along with doors, the southern windows in the elementary will be replaced, new windows in the ag classroom and north end of the hallway at the high school, and caulking of the exterior of the high school.
In other news, Mr. Ermer is stepping down as AD. He's done a great job and we are grateful for all he's done. Mindy will be taking over these responsibilities for next year. I believe she too will do an excellent job!
Dr. K. here... please read this.
Universal Meals at No Charge are done at the conclusion of the 2021-22 school year per the federal government. We will need to collect Free and Reduced Applications from our families beginning fall 2022. Also, we will need to determine if we have to raise our rates for meal charges for our students and adults based on our reimbursements from the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) as well as increased food expenses including shipping and labor. The current rates of inflation are being forecasted at 8%. We are gathering information regarding options for next year as to how we will be able to proceed. One option is to proceed as we did prior to COVID with families paying for breakfast and lunch at higher rates to cover expenses, and those who qualify for Free/Reduced lunch submit their application as before. Another option we have received states local districts may choose to continue to offer meals at no charge to all of their students, BUT the money to supplement the reimbursements from the NSLP must come from the school district's general fund as it is illegal for the school's lunch program to operate in the red, and still would require our families to submit Free and Reduced Applications. The higher percentage of free/reduced students we have, the more money we are reimbursed from the NSLP, requiring fewer local funds to be used. However, the reimbursement rates have not been defined for this option at this time. In the past, we have struggled obtaining Free and Reduced Applications from our families in a timely manner each fall, and we do not have 40% or more of our students who qualify for free meals, so our federal reimbursements are not large in comparison to our expenses.
There will be more information to come as we continue to receive information regarding these matters. The challenge I have said all along is once you start "free" how does the government then take it back? Please know we will do the best we can with this situation, as this all started with our federal government and now we are left with the new challenge of determining the feasibility for our district.
Another Dreambox Math Whiz finished her grade level standards! Wow, these kids are working hard! Great job, Sofia A!
We have several students who have mastered their grade level standards in Dreambox Math! Congratulations to Lincoln K, Benson K, Riley S, Rylan K, and Cash S! Keep working hard!
Our elementary playground conditions are improving daily! We are requiring boots due to some mud and wet wood chips to keep our school clean when kids come in and change into other shoes. Thank you for sending kids with gear and keep snow pants near “just in case!” Springtime in ND is unpredictable!
Attention Families: We have another opportunity through the Bismarck Larks! Nominate teachers that deserve to feel some EXTRA appreciation! Applications open April 4th, and are done by April 25th. The first 100 nominated teachers get to come out to their teacher of the year game for FREE!
This just in… Presley got 2nd place in both the Bullseye and 3D competitions today at the state NASP tournament. Lots of new personal bests made today. The troopers competed fiercely and learned so much. So proud of our kids!
Today, is the ND state NASP archery tournament. We have a total of 18 archers participating, 3 varsity, shooting at the tournament. This is about half of our team. Best of luck and thank you all for making this sport available to our kids.
Fourth graders had lots of fun with their STEM activity today, colored snowstorm in a jar! They learned about density and how an Alka - Seltzer tablet changes the pressure! 😊
Garrison Trooper Archery shoots at the State NASP Tournament this Saturday the 19th at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the State Fair Center in Minot. Come cheer on our team!
Today our elementary students were fortunate to have assemblies sponsored by the West McLean Soil Conservation Unit! Tom Gibson, also known today as George Gibson, spoke about “his adventures” with Lewis and Clark!
The fan bus is leaving at 3:45 with Dr. K. driving again. Please sign up using the previous post. Others traveling to the game may want to get there early as Standing Rock had several fans at the two previous games.
Boys basketball will play the Standing Rock Warriors tomorrow at 6:00 pm. The fan bus will leave at 3:45 (yet to be confirmed). Here is the link to sign up:
https://forms.gle/4kxN1wLuGW6NJV9U8
Kindergarten and Preschool Pre-Registration for 2022-23 will be March 24 from 9:00-3:00 at the elementary office.
Please call 701-463-2213 if you have questions.
Trooper fans… our boys play our nemesis at Bismarck St. Mary’s at 7:30 pm Tuesday night. If you’d like to ride the fan bus, please read the description and fill out the form.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_aHv0PvpESd-DweV0UFaqIfFmNw_XcAx23mqXLl54lzE0eg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Fourth Graders enjoyed a science experiment with refraction of light this week and wanted to share! It was tricky to get the angle of the mirror in the water with the flashlight and paper “just right!” Give it a try at home!
Reminder of Parent-Teacher Conferences today at Bob Callies and at the High School. If you come to Conferences at the HIgh School, please enter the school on the east side (by the flagpole). The other side will be blocked off due a Jr High Basketball game. Thank you!!
Regional Basketball for boys begins Monday at St. Mary's High School in Bismarck. The bus will leave for fans at 5:00 pm should you wish to ride along. Here is the sign up for the bus: https://forms.gle/gzZXJhprttFojk1b8